Alpha Phi History 

 

Alpha Phi was founded at Syracuse University, by ten of the first nineteen women admitted to the newly-opened university. These ten women with "brave hearts were filled with a noble purpose and eyes that saw clearly into the future." These were the Original Ten, the Founders of Alpha Phi. Pursuring their studies in a male-dominated environment, these women had a pressing need for friends who could sympathize with each other's aspirations. On September 18, 1872, these ten women initiated themselves into Alpha Phi. 

 

The Theta Alpha chapter of Alpha Phi was established at Linfield in 1990.

 

Mission Statement: 
Alpha Phi is a sisterhood of women supporting one another in lifelong achievement.

 

Our Motto:                                   Year Founded:                               Our Mascot:

"Union hand in hand."                          1872                                          Phi Bear

 

Our Crest:                                    Our Colors:                              Our Symbol:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alpha Phi Values

 

SISTERHOOD

That lasts a lifetime

Alpha Phis cherish life-long friendships rooted in kindness, love and respect for one another.  We believe in the concept of Watchcare - a tenet of our sisterhood which encourages support of one another through the good times and the bad, whether helping one another with academics or providing much needed support during a rough time.

 

The common bond of

SCHOLARSHIP

Alpha Phi values each member's passion for education, knowledge and achievement. Our founders were ten of the first twenty women admitted to Syracuse University in 1872 and they had the courage to persevere to earn a college education despite societal expectations at the time.

 

SERVICE

Hand to hand and heart to heart

Alpha Phi supports those in need through service and philanthropy.  Alpha Phis share a passion for helping one another and their surrounding communities.  The Alpha Phi Foundation is one of the oldest Greek Foundations and works to raise awareness and funds in support of women's heart health. 

 

Pioneering

LEADERSHIP

Alpha Phis lead by example and strive for continuous, innovative improvement. Since her inception, Alpha Phi has been a leader in the Greek community.  Alpha Phi's founders encouraged one another to think, invent and improve.  This pioneering spirit can be seen throughout Alpha Phi history and today - in our founding, our development of new chapters and our willingness to be a pioneer as exemplified by our many "firsts".

 

The bond of

LOYALTY

Alpha Phis are members for a lifetime and learn the value of loyalty and being true to each other and to common ideals. Members continue to be devoted, connected sisters throughout college and beyond. They believe in stewardship and paying it forward such that those that come after them benefit from their legacy and the difference they made.

 

High expectations for

CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT

Alpha Phi fosters the qualities of strong character that distinguish our members and our sisterhood, including compassion, integrity and sincerity. In Alpha Phi, all members learn to lead by example through their actions and communication.  They set expectations high for themselves and each other, and strive diligently to meet them.

 

 

 

Alpha Phi Firsts

Alpha Phi called the world's first inter-sorotrity meeting. A group that later became the National Panhellenic Conference.

Alpha Phi built the world's first sorority house located at Syracuse University in 1872.

Alpha Phi was the first women's soceity to use Greek letters.

Alpha Phi was the first sorority to establish a foundation.

Alpha Phi was the first sorority to publish a book-length history.

 

 

Our Philanthropies: 
Alpha Phi officially adopted Cardiac Care as a priority in 1946. The Alpha Phi Foundation supports

programs and research that study heart disease inwomen – specifically its symptoms, its treatment

and its prevention.

 

(Alphaphi.org, 2015)